Open water stars Jack Burnell and Rose Foden win Aquatics Awards

Open water swimmers Jack Burnell and Rose Foden were recognised at the ASA Aquatics Awards 2016 on Saturday 26 November.

The event took place in the prestigious Great Hall at the University of Birmingham. Rio 2016 Paralympic champion Ellie Robinson and Olympic diving bronze medallist Daniel Goodfellow presented the awards.

Burnell was presented with Performance Athlete of the Year for Open Water swimming after a terrific year of competition. He qualified for and competed at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, and was in medal contention for most of the race. He also won silver in the European Open Water Championships in the Netherlands.

Burnell said: “The award is for everyone, especially my parents and the support network I have got at home. But also the staff at Loughborough have been absolutely brilliant so the award is not just for me.”

“The Rio 2016 Olympic Games was the pinnacle of my career so far, and we didn’t get the result that we wanted. For me, it’s just about getting back in there and proving that I am the best in the world.”

Foden shows great promise

Rose Foden won ASA England Programmes Athlete of the Year for Open Water Swimming for her progression in the sport.

Foden qualified for the World Open Water Junior Championships and the European Junior Open Water Championships this year. She has also progressed considerably in her racing skills and tactics, and is now someone other athletes in the programme look to for advice and help.

After receiving the award, Foden said: “It’s an amazing feeling, there’s so many amazing people here. You hear all their stories and all of the things they do for swimming, and it feels incredible to be amongst them.

“I just want to be the best swimmer I can, and keep on improving. I love open water, it’s something that is a bit different and exciting.”